VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

CHARACTERS OF DRUGS FOR RESTRAINT OF WILD ANIMALS

• The drug characteristics that are expected with use of any type of chemical agent needs to be well understood before one resorts into chemical immobilization in any wild animal species.
• Ideal features if an immobilizing drug are given below:
• Low cost
• No side effects
• Rapid absorption and rapid action
• Need of concentrated form (small quantity for injection via dart syringe is convenient for field usage)
• Permitted for use in animals for human consumption
• Effective immobilization - effects
• Reversible by the injection of an antidote
• Safe for the handler as well as to the targeted wild animal species
• Wide safety margin
• Should not irritate the muscle
• Capable of remaining stable in solution for long periods of time at room temperature
• Short induction period
• This helps many times to avoid the untoward incidences that are likely to arise due to the chemical immobilization in case of wild fauna.